Training camp is sneaking up on the Miami Dolphins and there are a lot of questions for this team ahead of the new campaign. However, with that said, it's not too early to start thinking about some of the major storylines that will arrive next offseason. With that in mind, here are four things for general manager Chris Grier to already have in mind leading up to next winter and spring:
4. What will happen for the Dolphins at safety?
Jevon Holland may be the key to the Dolphins ' future at safety. Holland will be a free agent after the campaign, and the Dolphins could lessen the impact of his loss by extending him. If the Dolphins can't or don't give him a new contract, the safety position may be one of Miami's biggest issues next season.
Miami has Jordan Poyer, Marcus Maye, and Patrick McMorris heading into the 2024 season. They also have an undrafted rookie and are flirting with a couple of cornerback conversions, but the reality is, none of these players help the Dolphins safety unit beyond this year.
The Dolphins are rumored to be looking at using Jalen Ramsey in more of a roaming role in 2024 and that would provide help, but it doesn't provide longevity. In 2025, the Dolphins could be looking at a complete revamping of the safety position, especially if they lose Holland.
Fans can expect a focus on the position in free agency and the draft will be a priority as well. Grier has to know this, but he hasn't done anything yet to fix the problem and instead is hoping that the band-aids he used for this season will be enough to get by. Will he use more bandages in 2025 or will he force himself into a corner? Safety is going to be a hotly debated position next year.
3. The Miami Defensive line holds intrigue
This will be an interesting position for sure. Yes, the Dolphins added nine players to their roster for training camp with the hopes of finding the Christian Wilkins replacement, but only five of those players are likely to make the roster and most of them have little experience.
The Dolphins do not appear to be all that concerned, and chances are, Grier won't be any more concerned next offseason either. This is a position that Anthony Weaver has seen utilize rotational defensive tackles in Baltimore with success, and he will likely try to emulate that in Miami. If he succeeds, this D-Line problem won't be a problem, but we still have to get there.
Weaver and Grier will have big challenges this year finding the right players to line up with Zach Sieler and if he can find a couple of players that can work out, the Dolphins will be able to re-sign them or extend them into 2025. There are a lot of one-year deals in this unit and that will make 2025 another offseason of needing to get this position filled.
Grier can do something about that now by identifying players to extend, but his tendencies now have turned to more one-year deals and repeats than anything else, and that could be a problem in 2025, especially along the defensive line.
2. Backup quarterback is an issue for the Dolphins
Mike White and Skylar Thompson don't give the Dolphins enough to think they can win without Tua Tagovailoa. Losing Tua would be devastating to the Dolphins' offense, but at some point, McDaniel will have to turn to his backups.
Thompson is under contract through the 2025 season, while White is only under contract through this year. This will be an interesting camp for both of them. Miami will likely cut one of them before the season starts and bring them back to the practice squad. A new NFL rule allows teams to dress their PS QB every Sunday without that player counting as a dressed player. They are the emergency QB on Sunday.
Will Miami release Thompson or White? White would save them nearly $3 million in cap space, while Thompson may not clear waivers. Neither have shown beyond a doubt they are capable of leading the offense. The Dolphins would be smart to draft a mid-round QB next year to serve as Tua's backup. The QB spot will be fine so long as Tagovailoa remains healthy.
1. Wide receiver and offensive line
The receiver position isn't nearly as bad as it could have been. The addition of Odell Beckham Jr. and the extension of Jaylen Waddle put the WR spot in much better shape than it was heading into this offseason. If Malik Washington or Tahj Washington can step up, they will round out a solid top five on the unit, and the Dolphins can concentrate on adding depth beyond the 2024 season.
The offensive line has been a major problem for the Dolphins, despite Grier thinking otherwise, for quite a while. Drafting Patrick Paul will be an interesting development that could solidify the left side of the line when Terron Armstead leaves, presumably after the 2024 season.
Aaron Brewer should be able to handle the center duties and Austin Jackson is under contract after being extended last year. The questions that remain for Miami will be at the guard positions where they have yet to make a permanent decision. This is not likely going to change next offseason and the Dolphins will follow the same course they have been - add a few free agents to compete for the job without investing money in it.